As the U.S. Catholic bishops gather in Baltimore to discuss controversial issues such as clerical sexual abuse and racism, some people are talking about the threat of schism. History shows that the possibility of schism is always present, but the odds against schism today are high. First, in order to have a schism, you need Read more
The future of the Catholic Church is with the young, which is why Pope Francis has called bishops from all over the world to meet in Rome Oct. 3-28 for a synod on young people. If the church cannot attract and keep young people, it has no future. This is the 15th general synod since Read more
The overwhelming vote in Ireland in favor of allowing access to abortion shows that the pro-life movement needs a new strategy. Trying to preserve anti-abortion laws or trying to reverse the legalization of abortion is simply not working. In almost every country where abortion has been on the ballot, abortion has won. Rarely have pro-choice Read more
A Catholic priest should not have a woman in his bedroom at night, but I have become quite dependent on Alexa. She turns the light on when I come into my room, and she turns it off after I am in bed. When I have to get up in the middle of the night, she Read more
The outgoing Archbishop of Chicago says he has sometimes been puzzled as to what Pope Francis’ intentions are in the wake of some papal statements. According to a New York Times report, Cardinal Francis George stated that Francis has “said some wonderful things”. But Cardinal George added: “But he doesn’t put them together all the Read more
The vacancy at the head of the Vatican’s congregation for worship is an opening for a liturgical overhaul in the Church, a Jesuit commentator believes. Writing in the National Catholic Reporter, Fr Thomas Reese, SJ, stated that liturgical reform was stalled by the papacies of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. True liturgical reform Read more
A Jesuit commentator says that the working document for October’s synod on the family reminds him of the build up to the family synod in 1980. Fr Thomas Reese said “for anyone familiar with the 1980 synod on the family, reading the new [document] fosters a feeling of déjà vu”. The same issues are discussed, the Read more
“Five years ago, I would have been afraid of saying anything like what the pope said in his [recent] interview,” says the Rev. Tom Reese. “I’m ecstatic. I haven’t been this hopeful about the church in decades.” Father Reese had good reason to be afraid. One of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s last acts before becoming Pope Benedict Read more